Next-Gen BMW iX3 Neue Klasse Set to Debut at Munich Motor Show

The next-gen, Neue Klasse-based BMW iX3 EV SUV is set to debut at the upcoming Munich Motor Show.

The all-new, next-gen BMW iX3 is set to make its global debut at the upcoming IAA Mobility 2025, also known as the Munich Motor Show. This new EV SUV will be the first model under BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, with the first confirmed variant being the iX3 50 xDrive.

While no full specifications were given (for now), BMW did say that the upcoming iX3 50 xDrive will use its eDrive Gen6 electric drive system that promises significant improvements over the previous, fifth-gen unit used on the current iX3. Some promised figures include a 40% lower energy loss rate, a 20% reduced cost, and 10% less in weight—all contributing to approximately a 20% increase in overall efficiency, BMW claims.

BMW Group Werk Steyr plant in Austria (left) is now in charge of producing the eDrive Gen6 electric drive system (right) for the new iX3.

To go with this, BMW also shared that the production of its eDrive Gen6 system is already underway at its Steyr facility in Austria, making it the first electric drive unit to be manufactured at said location. To accommodate this new EV drive production, the Bavarian automaker has invested over €1 billion (RM4.885 billion) at the Steyr plant, which also includes the cost for its development.

The facility is in charge of manufacturing the rotor, stator, transmission, and inverter found in this new eDrive system, while the electric motor housing will be cast at BMW’s Landshut plant in Germany.

Back to the upcoming iX3, the Gen6 motor setup, plus the 800-volt Neue Klasse platform, promise to deliver up to 800 km of WLTP range for this EV SUV, while its DC charging is capped at 400 kW to allow for up to 350 km of range from just a 10-minute charge.

In pursuit of sustainability, BMW has prioritised the use of secondary or recycled materials in the new iX3, so much so that the automaker claims that roughly 33% of this new EV SUV is made from recycled materials.

For example, the seat upholstery on the new iX3 is made from recycled PET, while the engine cover and the storage compartment under the front hood are both 30% made from maritime plastic wastes like old fishing nets, ropes, and many more.

Even the metallurgy of the new iX3 is sourced from recycled materials, with 70% of its wheels made from recycled aluminiums, while both the wheel carriers and swivel bearings comprise 80% recycled aluminiums. Not to forget, the new iX3’s battery cells are made from 50% secondary cobalt, lithium, and nickel materials, and the production of the anode and cathode on the battery cells uses renewable energy sources.

In total, BMW claims this sustainable push will see the supply chain for the new iX3 production decrease by 35%, ensuring that its overall CO₂ emissions are reduced after just one year or 21,500 km of use.

Besides the new iX3, BMW Group as a whole will also showcase two new JCW concepts from its MINI portfolio, while BMW Motorrad will be bringing its new, all-electric Vision CE motorcycle concept to the upcoming Munich Motor Show.